Dispensing machine



Oct. 19; 1937. z, su AL 2,096,013

DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1934 5 Sheets-$heet 1 IN V EN TOR Char/e5 Zoo 50/ 0/7 a. z surrou :r AL 2,096,013

DISPENSING IACHINE Filed Sept. 22, ,1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIS E I Y Z $702256 c. Z. SUTTON ET AL 2,096,013

DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 F" I E E JNVENTORJ' J8 (Aer/es Zack 541/700 0 a M ash Oct. 19, 1937. c. z. SUTTON n AL 2,096,013

DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I u I, rIII/[III]III/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIII/lIllIIIIl/l [Ill rIIIIIIIIIIIrllIIIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIII'III'III/ I N V EN TOR5 (/rar/es Z oa fa/fan 0 /a [ash Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CaliL, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Robert G. Hooker, Junior, of San Francisco,

Calif.

Application September 22, 1934, Serial No. 745,077

16 Claims.

The invention relates to means for dispensing liquids in predetermined quantities in response to individual actuation of the dispenser.

an object of the invention is to provide a machine for dispensing beverages such as buttermilk, tomato Juice, pineapple juice, and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for dispensing a container such as a cup which has freshly been filled with such a beverage.

another object of the invention is to effect the filling of the cup within the view of the purchaser but screened from contact by the purchaser until such time as the cup is filled.

Another object of the invention is continually to condition the beverage whether it is actively being dispensed or not.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic dispensing mechanism which can cause no injury to a user.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiment of the invention shown in drawings, in which- Fig; 1 is a front elevation of a dispensing machine constructed in accordance with the invention, portions otthis structure being disclosed by the removal of the front lower cover.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line 2-! of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the major part of the actual dispensing mechanism, portions bein8 in cross-section onthe lines 3-3 of Fig. 5 to increase the clarity of" the disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a sideelevation, certain portions be- 5 ing removed, of the main clutch mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan, the plane of section being indicated by the line H of Fig. 3. I

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig 3 but with certain parts removed and with the pump in 'di- 40 metre] crosssection.

- Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the secondary clutch and its associated mechanisms.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section the plane of which is 45 indicated by the line H of Fig. 5. mechanism and associated linkage.

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the cup dispenser actuator and associated parts.

Fig. 11' is a cross-section through the central part of the dispensing chamber, the plane of section being on lines il-ll of Hg. 1, showing.

55 Fig. 12 is a fragmentary cross-section the the Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the cup guiding plane of which is indicated by the line 12- of Fig. 11, particularly showing the swinging spout.

In its preferred form, the dispensing machine of our invention comprises means for conditioning a beverage for dispensation, that is, chilling it and agitating it, together with means actuated in response to a predetermined impulse, such as the introduction of a coin into the machine, for setting into motion mechanism for releasing a container such as a cup, filling the container with a predetermined amount of the beverage, and then rendering the filled cup accessible for withdrawal from the machine, all combined with mechanism 'eflective after withdrawai of the filled cup from the machine for restoring the parts to their original condition ready for a subsequent cycle of operation.

While the dispensing machine of our invention is'of course susceptible of embodiment in various difierent forms, we have illustrated it herein as it has been successfully constructed in order to display and dispense pineapple juice. This beverage is in best condition for consumption when it is chilled somewhat from ordinary room temperature, and is further peculiar in that it contains sumcient solids so that a relatively continuous agitation is desirable in order that the homogeneity of the beverage can be maintained.

In accordance with the invention, therefore, we preferably provide an enclosing cabinet 2 which'is suitably constructed to provide a framework 3 for the dispensing machine. Preferably, above a central platform .4 there are provided transparent glass walls 1 so that the interior may be readily inspected, while below the central platform the enclosure is completed by metallic cover plates I which conceal the interior mechanism. Situated within the lower chamber 9 confined, by the walls I is a heavily insulated compartment ll provided with a removable door I2 within which a container I! of beverage can be installed. Likewise situated within the compartment I2 is the absorption coil ll of a refrigerating mechanism generally designated it. This mechanism described in detail. Occupying part of the space withinthe-compartment O is a container I! for the reception ot'used cups. Access to this container is had through an aperture ll piercing the front wall of the cabinet.

With the structure as so' far described, there is provided means for maintaining at the proper temperature a suitable supply of beverage to be dispensed.

In the upper portion of the cabinet, in the space confined by the transparent walls I, there is segregated from the main compartment It a dispensing compartment 2i which is bounded by a metal wall 22 and is closed by a gate 23 preferably of glass which can rise and fall in guides 25, so that the compartment Z'I can be connected with or isolated from the interior of the cabinet. Located just above the compartment 2i is a standard cup-dispensing reservoir and mechanism 25, of which various types are commercially available so that the mechanism is not described in detail. Sumce it to say that the mechanism 25 includes a column 27 for pamr cups and is provided with an actuating lever 23 which, when afforded a complete oscillation; dispenses a single cup and restores the mechanism to condition for a subsequent operation.

In accordance with our invention, the beverage contained in the reservoir 82 is continually circulated in order that it maybe agitated and maintained in a homogeneous condition, but upon actuation of the machine a predetermined portion is dispensed into a cup situated within the compartment 2|, after which the gate 23 is lifted so that the cup can be withdrawn. -Ffollowing this operation, the machine is restored to original condition. To circulate the beverage, therefore, there is provided a pump of any suitable character, there being illustrated in Fig.6 a piston pump, generally designated 23, comprising a cylinder 3i suitably fastened to the framework 3 and communicating through an outlet pipe 3?,

provided with a check valve 33, with the interior of the container I3. The pump is likewise provided with an outlet 3%, having a suitable check.

valve 35, which extends into the upper compartment I9 and is bent to terminate in a spout 3t.

Adapted to reciprocate within the cylinder 3B is a piston 38 fastened on a piston rod 33 to which a pitman ti is pivoted. The pitman is connected to one end of a walking beam 32 fulcrumed on a central support 53 secured to the framework 3, and at its opposite end connected by a rod 44 to an eccentric pin 35 mounted on a crank plate 41. A through shaft 63 carries the crankplate 41 and is journaled in bearings 53 in a casting 45. The shaft 43 also carries a master gear 53 with which meshes a pinion 5i connecting through a suitable speed reducer 52 to a source of power such as an electric motor 53. Upon energization of the electric motor, the shaft 43 is rotated and, through the intermediate mechanism, the piston 38 is reciprocated, thus extracting beverage from the container I3 through the inlet 32 and expelling it through the outlet 34 and the spout 36. A return circuit is normally provided by a return tube 54 leading to the container I3. Since the motor 53 is continually energized during the operation of this structure, there is a continual circulation of the beverage tobe dispensed, to maintain its condition uniform.

-Whenever a drink is to be dispensed, a coin is introduced into a coin slot 56 and a slide 51 is actuated by the operator. This structure is not described in detail since there are numerous, well understood standard mechanisms of this type. The actuation of the slide 51. is efiective to energize a solenoid 58 which attracts its core 59 in response to. such energization and against the urgency of a coil spring 6 I. The movement of the operations of the machine.

aoaaoia core 59 is efiective upon a link 62 to oscillate a bell crank 53 pivoted on the framework, as at 64, and connected to a latch lever 63. The latch lever in turn, as shown especially in Figs. 3 and 4, is connected to a lever 51 pivoted to control a unicycle clutch. The clutch includes a notch 68 cut in the periphery of the crank disc 31 which is engageable by a bell crank 59 havinga pawl Ii at one end and an actuating arm I2 at the other end. When the lever 31 ia lifted, the pawl II is enabled to engage with the notch 68 as the disc 3? rotates under the influence of the motor 53, so that the disc I3, to which the bell crank is pivoted by a pin Il, is then joined to the crank disc and the two rotate in unison pending release of the pawl ii.

Since the solenoid 58 is liable to be de-energized very shortly after it is energized, we provide a locking lever I3 which is biased by a spring III to ride under a shoulder I8 on the link 33, when such link is lifted, and to hold the link in lifted position until the locking lever I6 is tripped from beneath the shoulder I6. This type of clutch and holding mechanism is utilized in order that the pump may be synchronized with the remaining The clutch is so related that the pump has completed about half of its suction stroke when the disc I3 is coupled to the driving shaft i8.

' Further rotation of the disc i? causes unitary rotation therewith of the disc 73, whereupon a cardioid cam groove 8i cut in the reverse face of the disc I3 is efiective to oscillate a lever 82 pivoted to the casting t5 and carrying a cam foilower pin 83 riding in the'groove M. The lever 32 connects through a link 36 with a radial arm 85 on the discharge pipe 33, so that the pipe is rotatedsufliciently to-swing the spout 36 from the position shown in Fig. 12 through an aperture 3?! in the cup support 23 and into a central position above a cup previously deposited in the dispensing chamber 2i. The'timing is such that at about the time the spout is centrally located over the cup, the pump piston begins its discharge stroke and discharges a volume of beverage into the receiving cup. At the conclusion of the discharge stroke of the pump,-the cam groove 8i is efiective upon the lever 82 and the link 84 to In order that but one cycle of the pump be effective to pump into the receiving cup, we provide on the periphery of the wheel I3 a raised cam surface 89 which is efiective upon a follower SI projecting from a'lever 92 pivoted on a pin 93. 4

When the lever 92 is actuated, an overturned end 84 thereon swings against the locking lever I6 and dislodges the locking lever'from beneath the shoulder I8 on the link 66, so that the clutch is released from active position at the conclusion of one cycle of rotation. The parts thus return to their original positions, being held in original location pending a subsequent tripping of the main clutch.-

During the rotation of the discs 13, and at about the time the pump begins to discharge beverage into the waiting cup, a cam II" is effective to rock a lever I02, provided with a roller follower I03, thereby oscillating a shaft I04 on which the lever is mounted. Oscillation of this shaft produces oscillation of a lever I06 which is joined by a link I01 to a comparable lever I08 pivoted, as at I09, to the casting. This movement lifts the lever I08 to permit a clutch lever III, pivotally mounted on a disc II2 by a pin H3, to engage with a driving disc II4 carried on the shaft 48 and having a notch H5 to receive a pawl 1 located at the extremity of the lever I I I.

.Joined by the yoke I26 and by a cup guiding ring I29. The shape of the groove is such that when the disc H2 is rotated the lever I2I is actuated to lower the cup ring I29 against the framework of the mechanism during the first half of such rotation.

If for any reason the ring I29 should be obstructed in its lowering movement, there is provided a yielding or buckling means in the lever I2I. This takes the form of the two parts of the' lever, the parts being connected by a pivot pin I3I and by a spring I32 which is confined between a perforated lip I33 on one part of the lever and an adjusting nut I34 at the extremity of a through bolt I36 piercing an ear I31 on the other portion of the lever.

Operating in conjunction with the disc H2 is a disc I which on its obverse face carries an axial cam I42 effective to oscillate a lever I43 in opposite directions'. This lever is provided with a fulcrum I44 on the main framework of the mechanism, and at its upper end is pivotally connected to an actuating rod I46 extending to connect with the actuator 28 of the standard cup dispenser. The cam I42 is effective upon the lever I43 by first acting'upon a roller follower I41 provided on an extension I48 of the lever I43, and then acting upon a roller I49 mounted at the extremity of the' lever I5I pivoted to the main frame of the machine and connected by a link I52 to an extremity of the lever I43. The location of the cam I42 on the disc I is such that during the first half rotation of the disc I there i is no effect upon the lever I43; but during the last half of the rotation of the disc I the actuator 28 is given a complete oscillatory cyclein order to release a single cup and to return to original position.

The reverse face of the disc I, as particularly shown in Fig, 12, carries an oval cam groove I56 within'which operates a follower pin I51 projecting from a lever I58, one end of which is mounted" on the pin I22 projecting from the framework of v the machine and the other end of which is provided with a slot I6I encompassing a pin I62 projecting from a crosshead I63 in turn joining a pair of parallel rods I64 slidably mounted in apertures I66 in the main framework of the machine and at their upper end joined to the gate 23. During the first half of the rotation of the disc I, the gate 23 is lifted to afford unobstructed access from. the exterior into the compartment 2|. The reverse movementof the gate 23 occurs during the latter half of the rotation of the disc I, so that the gate is returned to closed posi- -in the path of the arm III.

' the tion cutting oil connection from the exterior to the compartment 2|.

In the event an obstruction should present itself. beneath the gate 23, there is provided a yielding means for precluding injury to the obstruction and to the mechanism. This comprises a spring I61 which is confined between an ear I68 on one part of the lever I58 and an adjusting nut I69 carried on a bolt I1I mounted on an ear I 1 2 projecting from the other portion of the'lever I58. Since the two parts of the lever are connected"by, a pivot pin I13, there is afforded a yielding-connection, which permits buckling of the lever under urgency of a force superior to that of the spring I61.

When the cam IOI contacts the roller I03 and through the lever I02 oscillates the shaft I04, not Only is the lever I 08 lifted to cause engagement of the clutch pawl II1, but likewise the lever I06 is lifted thereby lnterposing a projection I14 When the disc 2 makes approximately one-half of a rotation, the lever I II contacts the projection I14 and the pawl I I1; is withdrawn from the notch I I5 thereby diseii il-ging'the driving shaft 48 from the-discs I I2 arid-HI Both of these discs therefore make a half rotation before they are interrupted in their movement, Alsoatthe time the levers I06and I08 are originallylifted, the shoulder I11 on the intermediate link I01 lodges on the latch lever I16.- This 'mechanism therefore latches or holds discs I I2 and MI in half cycle position indefinitely.

In order that the operation of the machine will not be completed until such time as a filled cup has been manually removed from the compartment 2|, but will complete its operation promptly after such removal, there is the operation of To this end the bottom of the compartment 2|" is provided with a platform 20I which is vertically movable together with supporting rods 202 reciprocable in suitable guides in the frame work of the machine. A pin 203 mounted in a crosshead 204 joined to the rods 202 is connected to a dash pot 206, for cushioning the motion of the platform 20I, and likewise projects into slot 201 piercing one end of a. lever 208 at its center pivoted on a fulcrum 209 and at its opposite end connected by a link 2 to abell crank 2I2. The link 2 carries a counterweight 2I3, while the bell crank 2I2 is provided with a pin 2 operating in. a slot 2| 6 at the upper end of the lever I16.

As a cup which rests on the platform 20I is being filled, it increases in weight until it overcomes the opposing force of the counterweight 2I3, at which time the bell crank 2I2 is oscillated to bring the pin 2| 4 to the end of the slot 2I6. The link I01 is positively retained in lifted posi- .tion, thereby holding the pawl H1 disengaged due to contact between the lever III and the pawl I14. When, however, the filled cup is removed from the platform 20I, the then superior force of the counterweight 2I3 not only removesthe pin 2I4 from the end of the slot 2I6 but retracts the lever I16 from beneath the shoulder I11 thereby permitting the link I01 and the pawl I14 to become disengaged from the arm III and the lever I08 to return to its original position.

the lever I08 and the pawl H1 is disengaged provided means responsive to the weight of a filled cup for governing the clutch levers I 06 and-,|qg x-= from the notch H5. During the last half of the rotation of the discs H2 and Ni, the ring H29 is raised to an extreme upper position, at which time the cup dispenser is actuated thereby re= leasing a cup into the ring which lowers it to an intermediate position while the dispenser is being restored to its normal position. All of this occurs whiie the gate 23 is being lowered from its upper position to its lowermost position, so that all of the parts are restored to their original position.

In the ordinary operation of the machine, the beverage is continually circulated in order to maintain its homogeneous character. The gate 23 is ordinarily closed, in order to isolate the interior of the machine from its surroundings. A cup is in position ready to receive a charge of beverage and is partially confined by the supporting ring iZd. The platform 26! is in a raised position while the spout 3% is returning .the circulating beverage to the reservoir. Upon the introduction of a coin and the operation of the mechanism 51, the spout 3t swings over the cup and discharges a predetermined quantity of beverage thereinto. At the completion of this charging operation the gate 23 rises to afiord access to the filled cup which has sunk with the platform 20! to hold the mechanism inoperative for an indeterminate period.' In the meantime the spout 38 has returned to its inoperative position, and the supporting ring I29 has descended into contact with the floor of the compartment 2!. Whenever the filled cup is withdrawn from the compartment 2 I, the platform 126i again rises, the gate 23 gradually descends into closed position, the supporting ring I29 rises to its uppermost position and there receives a cup simultaneously released from the dispensing mechanism, which is then restored to inactive position. Following this, the supporting ring i255 returns to an intermediate position. The entire structure has then completed a cycle and is ready for a subsequent operation.

we claim:

1. A dispensing machine comprising a cup magazine, means for releasing a cup from said magazine, a counterbalanced platform constrained to vertical movement for receiving said released cup, means movable into a position over said received cup for filling said cup with a fluid, and means responsive to movement of said coun= terbalanced platform for interrupting further operation of said machine.

2. A dispensing machine comprising means adapted to operate in a cycle including means movable into a position directly over a cup for filling said cup and supporting means vertically movable in response to the weight of a filled cup, and means controlled by vertical movement only of said cup-supporting means for interrupting completion of said cycle.

3. A dispensing machine comprising a cup support, a cup magazine vertically aligned with said support adapted to release a cup onto said support, and means vertically reciprocable between said magazine and said support for encircling and transferring a cup released from said magazine to said support.

4. A dispensing machine comprising a cup support, a cup magazine vertically aligned with said support, and a cup-carrying ring adapted to approach said magazine to encircle a cup released therefrom and to approach said support to deposit said cup thereon.

5. A dispensing machine comprising a comaoeaois pertinent, a movable gate closing said compartment, means for positioning a cup within said compartment, means movable from outside said compartment into said compartment for filling said cup within said compartment, means for moving said gate to open position upon completion of said filling operation, and means effective upon the removal of said cup irom said compartment for moving said gate to closed position.

6. A dispensing machine comprising a com- 'partment, a movable gate for closing said compartment, meansior disposing a filled cup within said compartment, means independent of said filled cup for moving said gate to open position, and means responsive to the removal of said filled cup from said compartment for moving said gate to closed position.

7. A dispensing machine comprising a compartment adapted to be closed, means for establishing a filled cup within said compartment,

means independent of the filling of said cup but normally eiiective when said cup is filled for opening said compartment, and means efiective upon the withdrawal of said cup from said compartment for restoring said compartment to closed condition.

8. A dispensing machine comprising a closed compartment, means for afiording access to said compartment, means for dispensing a fiuid within said compartment, and means for operating said afiording means independently of the dispensing of said fiuid to permit withdrawal of dispensed fluid from said compartment and to restore said compartment to closed condition upon such withdrawal.

9. A dispensing machine comprising a liquid supply tank, means including a movable spout for circulating said liquid in a closed circuit, means for positioning a cup in a predetermined location, and means for moving said spout to interrupt said circulation in a closed circuit and discharge said liquid into said cup.

10. A dispensing machine comprising a movable spout, means periodically eifective in regular cycles during the operation of the machine for discharging liquid from said spout, and means operative in time with said cycles for effecting all of the movement of said spout between said.

cycles.

11. A dispensing machine comprising a nor-, mally closed compartment, means including a movable spout for circulating liquid in a circuit outside of said compartment, and means for moving said spout into said compartment for discharging liquid therein.

12. A dispensing machine comprising a source of liquid to be dispensed, means for-circulating said liquid'irom said source through a closed circuit returning to said source, a spout and a return pipe included in said circuit and normally in communication, and means operating in time with said circulating means for moving said spout and return pipe out of communication to interrupt said closed circuit.

and a return pipe normally in communication for providing a closed circuit for circulation of 1 said liquid from and to said source, and means for circulating said liquid through said circuit in successive cycles.

15. A dispensing machine comprising a cup magazine, means for releasing a cup from'said magazine, meansbelow said magazine for-supporting said released cup, a return tube extending to a source of liquid,. and a spout extending from said source of liquid movable from a position over said return tube into a position between said 'into said cup.

18. A dispensing machine comprising a cup support, a cup magazine above said support adapted to release a cup onto said support, a return tube extending toa source of liquid, :1 cupiilling means extending from said source of liquid, and means for moving said cup-filling means between a position over said return tube and a position over a cup on said support.

CHARLES ZOOK SUTTON.

OTTO M. EASH. 

